The EDU series is a key part of the AlCD's annual calendar, helping members stay at the forefront of contemporary governance. It was great to see more than 13,000 of you taking part in these events.
I was pleased to join many of you over the past two months at a number of the Essential Director Updates (EDU) held across capital cities and regional centres around the country.
There was no shortage of issues to explore, with our distinguished presenters Penny Bingham-Hall FAICD and Bruce Cowley FAICD leading discussions on crucial topics such as cybersecurity, climate governance and artificial intelligence (Al).
Penny and Bruce were joined by local members who provided insights on the key issues impacting directors. I thank all of our presenters for their contributions - and all of you for your commitment to ongoing professional development.
We were left with some compelling insights:
Cybersecurity: Data is at the centre of everything we do. Directors must consider how to promote a data-driven culture and maintain data integrity.
It's important to retain only data that's necessary and up-to-date. Having a cyber playbook is essential, because when a cyber incident occurs, it happens hard and fast.
Climate: Climate governance and mandatory reporting are now mainstream issues, no longer siloed in the ESG or sustainability team, but part of business as usual. Boards must ensure climate considerations are embedded in strategy, risk management and reporting, reflecting the growing expectations of regulators and stakeholders.
Al: This is not just an IT issue to be left to the tech team. The board has a responsibility to set the risk appetite without stifling innovation and productivity. Directors must ensure Al is deployed ethically, with appropriate guardrails, and its impact on people and culture is carefully managed.
Director duties: The responsibilities of directors are as important as ever and advances in generative Al have taken them to a new level. The pace of regulatory change, complexity of board packs and need for personal engagement all demand more from directors. Technology can assist, but it cannot replace the need for directors to read, understand and form their own views on board materials.
Navigating change and culture
There is understandable apprehension about the speed at which Al is entering our workplaces. As directors, it is our role to navigate through this transition and look after our people.
Boards need to fully understand the tension between various factors, including productivity gains and employee wellbeing, so they can make informed decisions.
Ultimately, these changes have a profound impact on people, and much of what was discussed at the EDU events led us back to the importance of culture and setting the tone from the top.
Global perspectives
In September, I had the opportunity to join fellow directors and governance leaders from over 30 countries in Singapore for the annual meeting of the Global Network of Director Institutes (GNDI).
This also coincided with the inaugural Global Directors Exchange (GDX) convened by the Singapore Institute of Directors.
GNDI brings together 21 leading director institutes from across Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East, representing more than 150,000 directors worldwide.
The AICD's membership of the GNDI supports us to keep our members up to date on evolving international governance matters. It is also a platform for advancing global corporate governance standards through collaboration and shared insight.
Discussions focused on topics familiar to Australian directors, including how boards are adapting to growing geopolitical risk, economic fragmentation, regulatory complexity and technological disruption.
Constitutional amendments: NED remuneration
By now you will have received your invitation to vote at the upcoming AGM on proposed constitutional amendments to permit remuneration of AICD non-executive directors (NEDs). The board was encouraged by the results of member consultation held earlier this year, which indicated that more than 75 per cent of members support the AICD moving toward remuneration of its NEDs. This strong member support informed the board's decision to proceed with this proposal and seek member approval at this year's AGM.
The board is confident the proposed amendments will help future-proof our governance arrangements - and reflect the feedback we heard during recent member consultation on the issue.
Thank you to all of our members who took the time to contribute to this consultation.
Our experience with constitutional change tells us that the best outcome is achieved when a large proportion of the membership votes.
I strongly encourage you to vote on this issue, with voting now open until the AGM on 26 November.
If you have any questions or want to discuss the matter further, please reach out to me or a member of the executive or board.
This article first appeared as 'Director essentials' in the November 2025 Issue of Company Director Magazine.
Latest news
Already a member?
Login to view this content